Friday, February 26, 2010

I'm sure you put this on your calendars long ago, but on February 28 (this Sunday), anyone with a Seattle Public Library card can get a free admission to the museum just by showing their card. Library card holders will also receive 25 percent off the purchase of a book at SAM SHOP and 10 percent off either Sunday Brunch or Sunday Urban Supper at TASTE Restaurant.

The Calder exhibit is still going on, if you haven't seen it already. And check out the full roster of current exhibitions here.

Not quite as nice as the 30% off coupon that went around earlier this week, but here's a coupon good for 25% off any item at Borders. Looks like it might be a rainy, nasty weekend, so it might not be a bad idea to get yourself a juicy book (or DVD) and settle down on the couch with a hot bev.

The best thing about this offer is that I get to say "Bora Bora" over and over again, because it sounds funny. Fill out this Bora Bora form and get yourself a free Bora Bora bar! You'll also be entered to win a trip for two to Bora Bora; winners will be announced in April.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

You may have noticed that there aren't any posts today, and it's not because I'm lying down on the job... it's just a really, really bad day for freebies and deals out there, I guess. It's rare that I can't find something to share, but that seems to be the case today.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Back around Chinese New Year, Kikkoman was running a contest where you could win free kitchen utensils and soy sauce and stuff. I tried to enter, but the system was down and wouldn't let me, so I didn't post it.

Anyway, they just sent me an email saying that the contest is up and running once more, so you can go enter to win fabulous prizes such as a silicone basting brush, spoon rest, stainless steel tongs, cookbooks, or coupons for Kikkoman products. No purchase required, but you'll have to enter your contact info so they can email you a PIN to enter with.

Yeah, I was trying to see how many acronyms I could pack into one subject line. Doesn't it look exclusive and important? Translated into English, it means that the record label Ioda is offering a free MP3 download sampler called "SXSW Opening Day Bash," which I assume means these are their bands that they're sending to SXSW this year. From the reviews, it sounds like a pretty eclectic mix ranging from Chinese post-punk to techno, so it might be worth a listen.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Here's another Facebook offer for you: the first 30,000 to become a fan of ZonePerfect on FB will receive a sample of their Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse or Caramel Toffee Indulgence Nutrition Squares, free.

Personally, I can't think of anything less appealing than the phrase "nutrition square," but I guess that's why I'm not a fan. Number 30,001, you owe me.

I almost forgot about this offer because Seattle is STUPIDLY excluded from it, but decided to post a reminder anyway in the spirit of altruism. Jack in the Box is offering a free grilled sandwich today only, 2/23, with the purchase of a large drink. (Not valid in Austin, Seattle, Boise, Twin Falls, Waco, Beaumont/Pt Arthur, Yakima, Lake Charles.)

I don't know why JITB hates Seattle so much, but I'm gonna hate them right back, how about that? Not that I was planning to purchase my lunch from them anyway, but now I'm EXTRA not going to. Take that.

Would you like to try out a free South Beach Living Fiber Fit S’mores Bar? I've bought other flavors by this line, and actually they're not bad as snack/meal bars and they even taste pretty decent.

Apparently what you want to do is go here and then click the first option, "1," when it asks how many boxes you have bought in the last 3 months. That will move you forward to the freebie offer, where you fill out the form and they'll send you your very own fibrous bar!

Remember, today is National Pancake Day, and IHOP is celebrating with free pancakes! From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can get one free short stack (three) of buttermilk pancakes (limit of one free short stack per guest;offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last and is not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount). Find a location near you.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Walmart.com brings you another free sample - this time for Olay Total Effects Body Wash. You'll have to make your own determination about the efficacy of a product that promises "younger-looking skin on your entire body," but the free sample should at least strip away three or four years, right?

If you are lucky enough to live near one of the Medieval Times locations, I am SO jealous of you. I have always wanted to go to one of these turkey-leg-hoisting, jousting extravaganzas, and you get to do it BOGO style if you wish! Use promo code FATEB2 to make the magic happen.

Orrrr you can go through the ticket sale on their homepage and get 2 tickets for $75, 3 for $100 or 4 for $120. Considering that tickets normally range from $50-62, that's a pretty substantial savings. Plus, falconry and "Hollywood-caliber special effects"! I don't see how you could possibly go wrong with this one.

Would you care for a free shrimp taco? It can be yours when you become a Facebook fan of Del Taco and click the link for a printable coupon. It just says "with any purchase," so you could just buy a drink and have a little meal just like that.

Del Taco maybe isn't my favorite fast-food taco joint, but I do appreciate that it's the only place you can get shrimp tacos and crinkle-cut french fries in one stop. Something for everyone!

Friday, February 19, 2010

I don't think I've ever posted a contest announcement here, but I just happened to stumble across this one and thought it was worth posting for Seattleites. Victoria Clippers is having a photo contest for your best pictures of Seattle, Victoria, and the Victoria Clipper itself. Winners in each of those three categories will get two round-trip tickets on the Victoria Clipper plus a gift bag, and the grand prize winner gets a two-night vacation package, champagne breakfast, and gift bag.

You can read the full rules here, but basically they want a hi-res JPG that captures the essence of each city. So if you've got a Seattle picture you're proud of, why not submit it for the heck of it? Entries are due by Feb. 28, so start snappin'!

A ha, now here's the coupon I've been waiting for! Borders has finally stepped up and offered a coupon good for a free small coffee or tea. Granted, it's not as fancy as getting any drink of your choice for free, but... it's a start. It's good through Feb. 21, so don't dilly-dally.

The Burt's Bees free toothpaste sample is back, so go nuts! Fill out the form to request your 0.5 oz sample of Burt's Bees® Natural Toothpaste - Multicare with Fluoride Formula. I've never tried Burt's Bees toothpaste, but these little guys are great for travel or for stowing in your office drawer in case of an extra-garlicky lunch. Just saying.

Who doesn't love a free grilled sandwich? Well, almost free, that is. On Tues., Feb. 23, get your free grilled sandwich at Jack in the Box with the purchase of a large drink. It doesn't look like a coupon is necessary, and as far as I can tell you'll get your choice of Turkey Bacon Cheddar or Deli Trio, so if you're near a JitB next Tuesday, you might find it worth your while to stop in.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Free fries at Fish Fry? It's true... and alliterative. Get a free boat of fries between 5 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 (and every third Friday of the month), at Pike Street Fish Fry and at Moe Bar next door. Rumor has it there will be $2 and $3 beer specials too.

I've never been here, but their menu looks fry-licious, with plenty of unhealthy delights. That deep-fried asparagus has piqued my curiosity, too.

February 23 is National Pancake Day, and IHOP is celebrating with free pancakes! From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can get one free short stack (three) of buttermilk pancakes (limit of one free short stack per guest;offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last and is not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount). Find a location near you.

They do want you to consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through the Children's Miracle Network, but free is free, so don't feel guilted into it unless you actually like children.

Who wants a free catalog? OK, how about if it comes with a free sample of "Highlander Grogg," a flavored coffee with caramel, butterscotch, and hazelnut. Use promo code 21RR when you're filling out the form - it goes in the field beneath your phone number info.

Apparently the website runs a little slow, but have patience and it will go through.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

I haven't actually taken them up on this offer (I have a fearsome pen hoard of my own to work through, plus a compulsive hotel-pen-stealing habit), but I do love fantasizing about this Six Pounds of Pens offer from GraveyardMall. It's a grab bag of misprints and overruns from promotional printing orders, but you know those pens are usually pretty fancy because they WANT you to keep them around and use them for months.

You'll get over 300 pens for $14, which is about 4 cents per pen and most likely a lifetime supply. Buy it for your favorite office-supply addict and watch their eyes light up!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lemonheads! I haven't thought about those in years. The very name takes me back to childhood, when I would buy those and the little boxes of Boston Baked Beans off the ice cream truck that came through our neighborhood. Uphill both ways! In the snow! For five cents! AND WE LIKED IT!

ReadWriteWeb has an interesting article today about group discount buying sites like Scoop St. and Groupon. Like Woot, the site features exactly one new deal each day - but a certain minimum number of people must agree to buy for the deal to be activated. (If they don't get enough people, the deal simply expires and nobody is charged.)

Today, for example, the Seattle Groupon deal is a $30 gift certificate to Galerias Gourmet Mexican Restaurant for $15. Not bad! While Scoop St. is New York-based, there are others out there that cater to various markets. Here's my referral link in case you want to join Groupon (full disclosure: I get $10 if you join and order a Groupon). I should say that I myself just joined, so I can't personally vouch for their deals, but it sounds intriguing and legit.

Physicians Formula is jumping on the ol' "green" bandwagon with their Bamboo Wear line, which consists of reusable bamboo compacts that you drop disposable pans of foundation powder or bronzer into. And you can try it absolutely free if you look for a package that says "Try Me Free" and download this rebate form. In addition to the usual requirements, though (rebate form, UPC, dated receipt), you MUST have that "Try Me Free" label to send in with your offer, so don't go buying just any old bamboo compact - make sure you get a qualifying one.

Monday, February 15, 2010

See, I've already gotten burned by this holiday, because I was planning on visiting the Asian Art Museum with my day off, only to find out it's CLOSED! Bah.

If you're trying to plan your holiday and aren't sure what's open and closed today, check out this guide from the Seattle Times. Libraries are closed (boo!) but street parking is free (yay!), and liquor stores are open (YAY). It's like the presidents are forcing me to be a no-good, stay-at-home drunk today.

Bebe has a free tote giveaway through Facebook, ending today. If you become their Facebook fan and print out the coupon under the Photos tab, you can take it to any store and get a free Barbara Hulanicki designed tote bag. It's pink and girly and looks kinda cute, plus you can never have too many reusable shopping totes, right? Trust me, you can't.

Awww, I was hoping this Borders coupon would have a little presidential flavor, like "33% off any PRESIDENT-THEMED item," but nope, it's just 33% off the item of your choice.

Of course, I have the day off today and am firmly dedicated to PJs and couch time all day long, but if I were going out today, this would be a good coupon to take with me. George Washington liked saving money, didn't he? Or was that Lincoln?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

For those of you who are lucky enough to have President's Day off tomorrow, be advised that Seattle Goodwill is having a President's Day sale. Which means 40% off GREEN, PINK & BLUE tagged items, and 99¢ RED tagged items.

Actually, if Seattle Goodwill is having a sale, then I'm sure all the other Goodwills are too, so even if you don't live here, check out your local store and find out what's happening. If your weather is as lousy and rainy as it is here, you might as well spend the holiday cleaning out a closet for donations and/or buying some sequined cruisewear, right?

Friday, February 12, 2010

I've been posting about Amazon's magazine sales, which go as low as $5 for a year's subscription and are therefore one of the cheapest forms of entertainment you can get these days. But now the deal is even better, thanks to promo code MAGFEB50, which gives you an extra 50% off selected titles! Check out the full list of sale magazines and don't forget to add the magic code when you checkout, which is when you'll see the discount applied.

Seattleites, and specifically Capitol Hill hipsters with Zipcar: want a free cupcake tomorrow, Feb. 13? Then go to the Capitol Hill Cupcake Royale, where the first 50 Zipcar members who flash their Zipcar ID will get a FREE cupcake. Sounds like you can have your choice of cupcake flavors, too!

Cupcake Royale opens at 7:00 am, though, so you might have to throw on a jacket over your PJs and hustle over for your free confection.

Well, this is kind of lame as Borders coupons go, but it's what they're giving us, so: 20% off any one item, in-store or online, through Feb. 14. Oh, I guess there's also this 30% off any hardcover coupon, so you can get that book of sonnets to read aloud to your special someone on V-day. Or, you know, however it is you celebrate this day of love.

Yep, it's another Facebook freebie! Become a fan of PopChips and then click on the Coupon tab, and it will take you to a coupon page where you can print the BOGO PopChips coupon. Be sure to have your printer on and ready, because free popped chips wait for no man.

I know we all got burned a few weeks ago with that "pop it forward" promotion that, supposedly, was only meant to go out to a few special people and they had no idea how it could possibly have gone viral, blah blah. But I think this one is on the up-and-up, so give it a try and dazzle your Valentine with healthy potato snacks this weekend.

Emergen-C is offering free samples of their fizzy vitamin hippie drink yet again. This time the offer is through Sam's Club, but you don't have to be a member to get one - just fill out the form and they'll send you your samples. I've found them to be pretty generous and fast with their freebies, so you may even get more than one, who knows?

...and many more that I'm too lazy to list here. Check it out, and if you already have subscriptions through Amazon, also take a look at their new Subscription Manager, which shows you all your magazines, subscription renewal dates, mailing addresses, etc. in one convenient place.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Wow, could it be? A giveaway for a full-size bottle of Aveeno lotion? Well... sort of. The site has been overwhelmed with traffic all day, as you might expect, so it keeps crashing and giving error messages when you hit Submit. What you want to do is, when you get the string-of-HTML error page, just keep hitting Refresh and it should eventually go through after three or four or twenty times. The word on the street is that it doesn't like Firefox, either, so you might want to switch over to IE or Safari or something for this one.

Aveeno lotion is kinda pricey, so it might be worth the annoyance to submit the form a few times. But then, you might NEED the whole thing after the stress of resubmitting the stupid form!

UPDATE: OK, so it took me about seven tries to get it. Finally, it started loading reeeaally slowly, and then it grudgingly gave me the "thank you" confirmation at last. Hang in there, it will work!

It's been a while since I had a pet rebate to share, so I'm pleased to announce the World's Best Cat Litter rebate offer. Buy a 7- or 8-lb. bag, send in the form before 12/31/10, and you'll get a refund of your purchase price up to $12.99.

With savings like that, I might need to get a cat just so I can use it for freebie leverage! I guess I'd have to share my wet cat food tins, though.

Here goes Borders with another oddball percentage coupon - 33% off one item, in-store or online. I actually do need to get something, so I might just print this out and head on over today. I've unintentionally turned into one of their "preferred customers" just because they're only a couple of blocks away and I always seem to end up there with a coupon in my hand. DEVIOUS!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Don't forget, hungry folks: Denny's is doing the Free Grand Slam offer tomorrow, Feb. 9, from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. I've heard that this immensely popular promo leads to lines around the block and hours-long waits, so it's up to you to decide whether it's worth the time investment to get your pancakes and bacon hastily slapped together by a panicked short-order cook.

Enterprising hobos could probably work the line with a stack of Real Change and earn enough from bored cheapskates to BUY their own damn breakfast.

Okay, okay. This is actually a pretty good idea, but if you're trying to be Cool Mom to your tween daughter, I'm thinking this will only confirm for her your utter and complete lameness. Nevertheless: Kotex is offering a free (with $2.99 shipping) "your first period" kit, full of samples and informational booklets and whatnot in a cute little makeup bag.

Stylish and discreet carrying case

12 page booklet that answers questions about menstruation

Kotex ® Ultra Thin Pads with wings

Lightdays® Liners

Menstrual calendar

Gel-filled heat pack to ease cramps

Scensibles™ disposal bags

Hand wipes

The booklet is actually called OMG Your First Period, which just kind of makes me wince with its "I'm hip! I'm with it!" feel. Imagine how thrilled your adolescent will be! Or the lucky recipient of a gag gift, if you so choose.

Burt's Bees wants you to try their brand-new natural fluoride toothpaste, so they're offering free 0.5 oz samples. Burt's doesn't give away totally free samples all that often, so definitely jump on this one if you like their hippie honey stuff.

All right, the freebies are finally starting to pick up this week! First up, we have an offer for a free Uni-ball Super Ink pen, which evidently helps to protect against IDENTITY THEFT by forming an unbreakable super-science molecular bond with the very fibers of your paper. Sounds technical, doesn't it? Not to worry! All you need to do is fill out the form, and you'll receive your very own free pen in the mail.

Not sure how long this one lasts, but they're giving away 10,000 a day, so you should have a pretty good chance if you scoot on over.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

As promised, I'm going to start posting more iPhone/iTouch freebies on here, which will be free apps that I personally have downloaded and enjoyed. This time around, I'm recommending Puzzlings, a delightfully winsome little puzzle game with a sky-high cute factor.

You can watch a trailer, but the general idea is that you are a bobble-headed monster who has just learned about fashion, and you must solve Bejeweled/Tetris-esque block puzzles to win clothes and accessories to customize yourself with. You progress through stages in Mario-like worlds, each of which is pretty easy and quick to play, yet the game is highly addictive once you start collecting hairstyles, outfits, and goofy facial features to trick out your monster with.

It's totally free on the iTunes app store, so snag it and brighten up your grim bus commute or stultifying staff meeting.

I was at Fred Meyer tonight doing my usual grocery shopping, and saw a delightful surprise - a rebate offer for Guylian Belgian Chocolate Twists! When I was a kid, we always had Guylian's chocolate seashells as an Xmas treat, and I still remember them fondly, so I was curious to try this new product, especially for free.

It turns out to be an individually wrapped seahorse-shaped chocolate truffle, with a similar flavor to the original seashells. They're available in milk, dark, and praline flavors, and their regular price was $3.69. It's the standard rebate form/UPC/receipt mail-in deal, but you do need the actual form to send in, so look for the displays in Fred Meyer and other purveyors of fine Belgian chocolates. The offer is good through 6/30/10, so you have a little while...

Friday, February 5, 2010

You know of my love for the Entertainment Book, that mighty tome of discounts that gives you hundreds of dollars in savings over the course of a year. Well, now it's on sale for 40% off, making many of the books as little as $15!

I've actually been kind of a slacker with mine this year, because I recently moved and am still figuring out what's in my area. But this rainy weather is perfect for BOGO museum trips and discounted movie tickets... plus the Cupcake Royale coupons.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

This is a bold claim, but Jovan isn't afraid to make it: their new Satisfaction fragrance (featuring some creepy-looking models) is guaranteed to not only provide 100% satisfaction, but also to improve your love life! How many other fragrances can say that?

Well, actually, their steps to satisfacation involve something called a "Satisfaction Toolkit," which is not yet available on the website. But you can still get your free fragrance sample if you want to get a head start.

Man, this is complicated! But they must know what they're doing, right? This is SCIENCE, after all.

I haven't tried this out personally, but apparently Hot Prints is an online company that makes custom photo books, calendars, etc., and they're offering one free 16-page photo book per month per customer. It does come with ads, but they'll be on their own pages (not on the other side of picture pages) and can easily be removed.

Sounds like you may have to download some software to lay out your photo book and captions and such, but it could be a nice little Valentine's card or a gift for that aged relative who still can't open picture attachments in email.

Hobos and students, listen up! Denny's is ambitiously repeating their Free Grand Slam promo offer next Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Apparently, this too ties in with that sporting game thing on television that is happening this weekend, whatever it may be.

Denny's is brave, considering the vast string of failures that chain restaurants have had in the past year or so with free-food promos, but I guess they know their demographic. Have fun waiting in line with the derelicts.

So apparently there's some type of sporting event or "game," I think they call it, this Sunday? One for which you must lay in provisions of snacks and beer, it seems. In that spirit, pseudo-Mexican chain restaurant On the Border would like to offer you a free bag of freshly made tortilla chips. Just bring the coupon in on Sunday, February 7, for your bag - no purchase necessary (though they're probably hoping you'll buy some salsa or cheesy dip or whatever).

Then you will be all ready for this televised entertainment spectacle, whatever it is!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Tomorrow, February 4, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, downtown styling salon Swink (i.e., they don't do haircuts, just fancy 'dos) will be holding a special "SwinkHeart" event. Show up early for free swag bags, free nail polish changes from Julep, free snacks from Redfin Sushi, and make an appointment for a $20 updo. The event itself is free, but you must call ahead if you want one of the styling slots.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Here's another Facebook offer: become a fan of Pilot Travel Centers, whatever that is, and you'll be able to print out a coupon for a free box of Revolution Tea (good at Pilot Food Marts and Travel Centers; click here for a locator). I've tried Revolution Tea before - it's one of those fancy-schmancy brands with crazy exotic flavors, but they're pretty good, especially when they're free. And the way my week is going, I need to start eating teabags for lunch and absorbing the caffeine directly.

I have to say, I'm not a very good negotiator, and the thought of haggling makes me squirm. Coupons and discounts, yes; insisting on prices when they don't come up on the register, sure. But brazenly marching up to a salesperson and demanding a discount just because?

Monday, February 1, 2010

Yogi Tea wants you to share the hot, steamy tea love with someone special. Sign up to send an e-card to a tea-o-phile friend, and they'll receive your personalized greeting plus instructions on how to sign up for their two free tea samples. You can choose from about eight different hippie-sounding flavors, so give one to your favorite earth mother.

Remember like fifteen years ago when those handheld video poker, blackjack, etc., machines were all the rage? OK, maybe that was just in Nevada. We really can't bear to be away from gambling for even a second there.